Why First Support
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Get help with Why First — installation, rules, stats, the Pro license and AI intent judgments.
The FAQ below answers the questions that come up most often. If yours isn't here, or you need something about a purchase, email support@whyfirst.app.
FAQ
The check-in page doesn't appear for a site I added.
Confirm the rule is enabled (the toggle in Rules) and that the match mode fits the URL: "Exact domain" only matches that domain, while "Subdomains" also matches subdomains like m.example.com. Rules take effect immediately — no restart needed.
Where is my data? Can I move it to another computer?
Everything the extension keeps lives in your browser's local extension storage and is not sent to us: rules, intent notes, statistics and your local Pro credential. Settings → Data offers a JSON export for backup; import is available on the same page. Cross-device sync of rules and settings exists in the code but is not offered in this release, so nothing travels between your devices today. Buying Pro or AI intent judgments creates a Why First account, whose records — email, orders, entitlement, judgment balance — are described in the privacy policy; your browsing is not part of them.
Do I need an account?
Not to use the extension: rules, pauses, statistics and license activation all work with no account and no sign-in. You need one to claim the 30 free AI intent judgments, and to buy Pro or more judgments, because an order, an entitlement and a judgment balance have to belong to someone. The account holds your email, your orders and your judgment balance — never a domain, a note or a visit.
I bought Pro. How do I activate it?
Open Settings → Account in the extension and sign in with your Why First account. After a successful purchase, your Pro lifetime entitlement and included AI intent judgments sync automatically upon sign-in — no need to copy or paste license keys manually. The extension receives a cryptographically signed local offline credential, keeping Pro active through a grace period of 60 days by default (configurable between 30 and 90 days) if your device stays offline, after which it falls back to Free until the next successful sync (your rules, stats, and notes are never deleted). While you are online, the extension automatically refreshes in the background.
What are AI intent judgments, and where are they held?
AI intent judgments pay for judgments that run through Why First: one judgment spends one. Pro includes 10,000 while the launch offer lasts (5,000 at the regular price); a verified Free account gets 30, and Pro subscribers can top up 5,000 judgments for $3. They are held in your Why First account — write to support@whyfirst.app for your current balance or a copy of your records. Pro can also use your own AI provider, endpoint or local Ollama with your own key, which spends no judgments.
Does Why First work in private/incognito windows?
Only if you explicitly allow it: in chrome://extensions (or about:addons in Firefox), enable "Run in private windows" for Why First. It is off by default.
How do I turn it off temporarily?
Click the toolbar icon and pause the current site's rule, or open Settings and disable rules globally. You can resume any time.